Safety Rail for Quick Connect Roof Clip and Roof Jack

ABSTRACT

A safety rail attached to a baluster, suitable for attachment to a roof jack and/or which works in conjunction with a quick connect roof clip.

This application claims the benefit of the filing dates of applicationSer. No. 12/948742, filed Nov. 17, 2010, and PCT/US11/59026, filed Nov.2, 2011, for any matter disclosed herein and therein; these applicationsare incorporated herein by this reference. This application is acontinuation-in-part of such applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used tolimit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Generally stated, roof jacks are used on roofs to provide a temporaryplatform for standing, bracing against, placing equipment and supplies,and similar. A prior art roof jack is shown in FIG. 1, showing part ofFIG. 2 of the drawing figures for U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,254. In a typicaluse case, two or more roof jacks are attached to a pitched roof atsubstantially the same vertical height; the roof jacks have a horizontalmember (relative to the ground), 1.002 in FIG. 1. A plank is placedbetween the two horizontal members, forming the platform mentionedabove.

The prior art roof jacks are not suited for attachment of a safety rail.

In addition, and as discussed in applications Ser. No. 12/948742 andPCT/US11/59026, prior art roof jacks often damage the roof membrane orother roof systems. Disclosed in applications Ser. No. 12/948742 andPCT/US11/59026 is a roof jack, which roof jack may attach to a quickconnect roof clip, which quick connect roof clip is attached to and lefton the roof.

The art has not demonstrated a satisfactory safety rail for attachmentto a roof jack nor a stand-alone safety rail which may attach to a quickconnect roof clip.

Generally stated, the disclosed invention is directed to a safety railsuitable for attachment to a roof jack and/or which works in conjunctionwith a quick connect roof clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art roof jack.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a roof jack and an attached safety railbaluster.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a set of roof jacks, attached safetyrail balusters, safety rails, and a plank.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a roof jack and an attached safety railbaluster, showing alternative embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a set of roof jacks, attached safetyrail balusters, safety rails, and a plank, showing alternativeembodiments.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of embodiments of a housing plate.

FIG. 7 is a close elevation view of embodiments of a housing plate.

FIG. 8 presents perspective and perspective wire-frame views of ahousing and a baluster.

FIG. 9 presents an elevation view of a roof jack and a safety railhousing, showing where the housing attaches to the roof jack.

FIG. 10 presents an elevation view of a safety rail baluster attached toa safety rail base attached to a quick connect roof clip.

FIG. 11 presents perspective and perspective wireframe views of a safetyrail baluster attached to a quick connect roof clip.

FIG. 12 presents an elevation view of a detail of a housing plate andbaluster embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The reference numbers in the drawings follow a pattern of XX.YYY, whereXX is the figure number and YYY is a number identifying an element inthe drawing. The same YYY numbers in different drawings identify thesame or similar elements. Where “XX” is used in the specification, itrefers to the element number as depicted in any of the figures where theelement is depicted. YYY reference numbers herein which are the same asthe YYY number in a parent application refer to the same parts.

The following detailed description is for the purpose of illustratingembodiments of the invention only, and other embodiments are possiblewithout deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention, which islimited only by the appended claims. The figures and elements discussedin this specification use terms meant as examples and not aslimitations. Functions equivalent to those illustrated in the figuresmay be provided by other device(s) or structure(s).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art roof jack, discussed above.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a roof jack and an attached safety railbaluster. In this view, a first baluster 2.031 connects to a housing2.040, which housing 2.040 is connected to a roof jack 2.017. Thehousing 2.040 comprises a first housing plate 2.039 and a second housingplate X.065, shown in FIG. 3 and other of the figures. The housingplates X.039/X.065 are generally parallel to one another. A first axle2.047 spans from the first housing plate 2.039 to the second X.065. Thefirst axle 2.047 may be secured to the housing 2.040 via, for example, anut on threading and a washer. The first baluster 2.031 comprises afirst baluster hole X.103 (in FIG. 8 at element 8.103). The first axle2.047 may further comprise a sleeve, bushing, bearings, or similarbetween the first axle 2.047 and the baluster 2.031 as well as washers.The baluster may rotate around the first axle 2.047 when attached to thehousing 2.040

The baluster 2.031 has a second baluster hole X.104 (visible in FIG. 8,at element 8.104); in FIG. 2, the second baluster hole is in thebaluster 2.031 in the location of the second arc hole 2.043 and the pinof the first releasable pin 2.057. The second baluster hole X.104intersects with the first and second housing plates along arc segmentsdefined in large part by the location of the first axle 2.047, thelocation of the second baluster hole X.104, and the rotation of thebaluster 2.031 around the first axle 2.047.

The housing 2.040 further comprises a first arc hole 2.041, a third archole 2.044, and a fourth arc hole 2.045. The arc segments and arc holesare discussed further in relation to FIG. 6. Corresponding arc holes inhousing plate X.065 are shown in FIG. 8, though not numbered.

The baluster 2.031 may rotate around the first axle 2.047 and may bereleasably secured in a particular orientation relative to the housing2.040 by inserting the first releasable pin 2.057 through one of the archoles; FIG. 2 shows the first releasable pin 2.057 as being insertedthrough arc hole 2.043.

The housing 2.040 further comprises a first housing attachment hole2.059 in the first housing plate 2.039, through which a secondreleasable pin 2.061 may be passed; a corresponding housing attachmenthole in the second housing plate X.065 is shown in FIG. 8 at element8.058. Following removal of the second releasable pin 2.061, the lengthof the adjustable leg 2.025 (comprising first portion 2.026 and secondportion X.109, both with adjustable leg holes X.028) may be adjustedsuch that adjustable leg holes X.028 in first portion 2.026 and secondportion 2.109 align, the first housing attachment holes 2.059/8.058 maybe aligned with the aligned adjustable leg holes X.028; the secondreleasable pin 2.061 may then be inserted through the aligned holes tosecure the adjusted length of the adjustable leg and the housing on theroof jack.

The housing 2.040 further comprises a second housing attachment hole2.053 in the first housing plate 2.039; a corresponding second housingattachment hole in housing plate X.065 is shown in FIG. 8 at element8.106. A fastener, such as a bolt/nut combination, a releasable pin, andsimilar may be attached through the second housing attachment hole2.053. All uses of the term “fastener” herein shall be understood torefer to any of a bolt/nut combination, a releasable pin, and similar.The second housing attachment hole 2.053 is depicted in figure two asbeing congruent with the roof jack top axle X.110 (in FIG. 9 at element9.110), though the second housing attachment hole 2.053 may be congruentwith an adjustable leg hole X.028, with a dedicated hole, or similar.When a fastener is passed through the second housing attachment hole2.053, through the roof jack top axle X.110, and through thecorresponding second housing attachment hole X.106, then the housing2.040 is attached to the roof jack, though the housing 2.040 may rotatearound the roof jack top axle X.110 and the length of the adjustable leg2.025 may be adjusted; when a fastener, such as the second releasablepin 2.061, is inserted through the aligned adjustable leg holes X.028,as discussed above, then the housing 2.040 is attached to the roof jack2.017 and the length of the adjustable leg is releasably set.

FIG. 2 also depicts first and second plate bolts at 2.049 and 2.051.These bolts attach the first housing plate 2.039 to the second housingplate X.065 through holes (see elements 8.100 and 8.102). One or morespacers, tube(s), washer(s) or similar may be located between the firstand second housing plates 2.039/X.065 to hold the housing plates apartwhen one or more nuts are screwed onto the end(s) of the attachmentholes/bolts at 2.049 and 2.051. An example of a spacer is shown in FIG.12, feature 12.235. The housing plates may thereby be secured, one tothe other, at a distance approximating the width of the adjustable leg2.025.

FIG. 2 also depicts that the bottom of the roof jack is approximately 70degrees up from a vertical line, 20 degrees down from a horizontal line.The plank-receiving portion 2.024 is not depicted as horizontal. Theseangles are shown as examples only; see FIG. 4 for an example of a roofjack and baluster set to accommodate a roof with a pitch angle of 45degrees. By providing a roof jack and a baluster attachment which areadjustable, the roof jack and baluster may be used on a wide range ofroof angles, accommodate a range of use cases and preferences, includingstanding materials on the plank receiving portion and giving the plankreceiving portion a non-horizontal.

FIG. 2 also depicts first and second rail brackets 2.033 and 2.037. Someor all of the rail brackets may be threaded; washer(s) 2.034 (a flatplate with two perforations where the rail brackets pass) and nuts, suchas 2.035 or similar, may be screwed onto the threaded portion to therebyhold a rail on the baluster (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a set of roof jacks, attached safetyrail balusters, safety rails, and a plank. FIG. 3 depicts a plank 3.029,the plank-receiving portion 3.024 of a first roof jack 3.017.A, firstand second rails 3.036 and 3.038, and a second roof jack 3.017.B.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a roof jack and an attached safety railbaluster, showing alternative embodiments. In this depiction, analternative housing 4.071 comprises the first axle 4.047 as well as asecond axle 4.073. In this embodiment, a releasable pin 4.056 has beeninserted through openings in the housing 4.071, such as at the locationlabeled 4.073, and through the first baluster hole X.103, therebyattaching the baluster 4.031 to the alternative housing 4.071. Asbefore, the baluster 4.031 may rotate around the second axle 4.073. Thesecond axle 4.73 may comprise the releasable pin 4.056. In the depictionin FIG. 4, the releasable pin 4.057 is inserted through the first archole 4.041, securing the baluster 4.031 to the housing 4.071, with anapproximately vertical aspect. FIG. 4 is an example of an alternativeconfiguration. Additional alternative configurations of axle(s) and archoles are shown in and discussed in relation to FIG. 6.

In FIG. 4, the bottom of the roof jack is depicted as approximately 45degrees up from a vertical line. The plank-receiving portion 4.024 hasan approximately horizontal aspect and the adjustable leg 4.025 has beenlengthened (compared to the adjustable leg shown in FIG. 2 at 2.025),with the releasable pin 4.061 inserted through another set of alignedadjustable leg holes 4.028 to achieve this configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a set of roof jacks, attached safetyrail balusters, safety rails, and a plank, showing the examplealternative housing 5.071.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of embodiments of a housing plate. Inhousing plates 6.080, 6.082, 6.084, 6.086, and 6.088 there is a firstaxle 6.047. The first axle 6.047 has a relationship with the first archole 6.041, with equal-length line segments drawn between the first axle6.047 and each of the first through fourth arc holes, 6.041, 6.043,6.044, and 6.045. The arc holes are arranged along a first arc segment6.081. As discussed above, the arc segment 6.081 is defined in largepart by the location of the first axle 6.047, the location of the secondbaluster hole X.104 (not shown in FIG. 6, but occurring along arcsegment 6.081), and rotation of the baluster X.031 around the axle. Thelocation of the arc holes may be varied along the arc segment 6.081; thesize and number of the arc holes may also be varied.

Housing plate 6.082 shows the first axle and arc holes shown in housingplate 6.080 as well as a second axle 6.089. Housing plate 6.082 is meantto be similar to housing plate X.071. The line segment drawn between thesecond axle 6.089 and arc hole 6.041 in housing plate 6.082 is meant tobe the same length as the line segments between the first axle 6.047 andthe arc holes along arc segment 6.081 in housing plate 6.080.

Housing plate 6.084 shows the features shown in housing plate 6.082 aswell as a second arc segment 6.087 with a second set of arc holes alongthe second arc segment 6.087, obtained, approximately, by rotating agroup around point 6.085, the group comprising: i) the set of arc holesalong arc segment 6.081 and ii) the first axle 6.047.

Housing plate 6.086 shows the features shown in housing plate 6.084,less the arc hole which would otherwise be found within dotted circle6.099. This arc hole may be omitted, for example, if the omitted archole is too close to another arc hole, such as arc hole 6.043. Insteadof being omitted, one or more of the arc holes may be moved along thearc radii.

Housing plate 6.088 shows the features shown in housing plate 6.084,except that the set of arc holes radiating from the second axle and thesecond axle have been shifted down, such that the arc segments overlapat location 6.091, and except that the set of arc holes radiating fromthe second axle and the second axle have also been rotatedcounter-clockwise slightly around location 6.091, such that the archoles in the two arc segments do not overlap. A close view of the arcsegments from housing plates 6.084 and 6.088 is shown in FIG. 7.

Housing plate 6.090 shows the features in housing plate 6.080, exceptthat the group comprising the set of arc holes radiating from the firstaxle and the first axle have been rotated counter-clockwise such thatthe line segment between locations 6.093 and 6.095 is greater thanvertical and such that the line between 6.093 and 6.096 is approximatelyvertical.

FIG. 6 is meant to show that more than one axle is possible and thatother arrangements of axles and arc holes are possible. Additionalarrangements are possible, such as the example shown in FIG. 12,including one baluster axle 12.148, first 12.145, second 12.143, andthird baluster holes, and, on a housing, staggered arc holes on two arcsegments, a first arc segment being defined by the distance between theone baluster axle and the second baluster hole, the second arc segmentbeing defined by the distance between the one baluster axle and thethird baluster hole.

FIG. 7 is a close elevation view of embodiments of a housing plate.

FIG. 8 presents perspective and perspective wire-frame views of ahousing and a baluster, features of which are discussed elsewhere.

FIG. 9 presents an elevation view of a roof jack and a safety railhousing, showing where and how the housing attaches to the roof jack.The second housing attachment hole 2.053 engages with the roof jack topaxle 9.110 while the releasable pin 9.061 at the first housingattachment hole 9.059 engages with hole 9.107 in the adjustable legsecond portion 9.109, releasably securing the length of the adjustableleg 9.025.

FIG. 10 presents an elevation view of a safety rail baluster 10.111attached to a safety rail base 10.115 attached to a quick connect roofclip 10.004. In this view, the safety rail base 10.115 is bolted to asemi-circular housing 10.113. The semi-circular housing 10.113 comprisestwo semi-circular plates 10.124 and 11.126. The two semi-circular plates10.124 and 11.126 are held together by connectors 10.117, 10.119, andaxle 10.121 at a first baluster hole, illustrated by element 11.129 inFIG. 11. The connectors may comprise sheaths, tubes, washers, or otherseparators or spacers to hold the two semi-circular plates 10.124 and11.126 a fixed distance apart. The baluster 10.111 includes a secondbaluster hole, illustrated by element 11.131 in FIG. 11. The secondbaluster hole describes an arc segment along the two semi-circularplates 10.124 and 11.126. Arc holes along the arc segment, such as archole 10.123, form openings from one side of the housing 10.113 to theother. The releasable pin 10.125 may be inserted into one of theopenings and through the second baluster hole 11.131 to releasablysecure the baluster 10.111.

In the view presented in FIG. 10, the safety rail base 10.115 isconnected to the quick connect roof clip 10.004 by an attachment head10.016. The attachment head 10.016 is connected to the safety rail base10.115 by, for example, two bolts, such as 10.019. The attachment head10.016 comprises a projection 10.018, which releasably connects theattachment head 10.016 and the attached safety rail base 10.115 to thequick connect roof clip 10.004

FIG. 11 presents perspective and perspective wireframe views of a safetyrail baluster attached to a quick connect roof clip.

FIG. 12 presents an elevation view of a detail of a housing plate andbaluster embodiment.

As used herein, “releasably attachable” and “releasably connectable” areunderstood to be equivalent; “attach” and “connect” (and “attachable”and “connectable”) are also understood to be equivalent; and“releasable,” “releasably,” “releasably attachable,” and/or “releasablyconnectable” are understood to mean being able to be repeatedlyconnected/disconnected (or engaged/disengaged) through the use of thehands, feet, or human appendage, with application of human-scale workeffort, not generally requiring the use of a tool.

The components discussed in this specification may be made of or from awide range of materials non-exclusively including aluminum, steel, iron,copper, tin and alloys between and including these and other materials,as well as and/or including composites such as fiber-glass, aramid,carbon-fiber, an other fibers combined with resin and/or epoxy, andwood.

1. A rail holder for attachment to a roof jack comprising: a housingcomprising an attachment for a roof jack; a baluster; a releasableconnection between the baluster and the housing; and wherein the housingand the baluster are connected at a first axle.
 2. The rail holderaccording to claim 1 wherein the baluster comprises at least one railbracket.
 3. The rail holder according to claim 2 wherein the railbracket is distal to the first axle.
 4. The rail holder according toclaim 2 further comprising a rail attached to the baluster.
 5. The railholder according to claim 4 wherein the rail is releasably attached tothe baluster by the rail bracket.
 6. The rail holder according to claim1 wherein the releasable connection between the baluster and the housingcomprises: the baluster with a first hole; the housing with a secondhole; and a rod which may pass through the first hole and the secondhole.
 7. The releasable connection between the baluster and the housingof claim 6 wherein the rod may be releasably secured in the first andsecond holes when the first and second holes are aligned.
 8. Thereleasable connection between the baluster and the housing of claim 6wherein the second hole is one of a set of holes in the housing, whichset of holes are arranged along an arc segment, which arc segment isdefined by the first hole and the axle.
 9. The releasable connectionbetween the baluster and the housing of claim 8 wherein the set of holesarranged along an arc segment includes a hole aligned with the firstaxle along a line, which line is parallel to a leg of a roof jack towhich the housing is attached.
 10. The rail holder according to claim 1further comprising a second axle connecting the baluster and thehousing.
 11. The rail holder according to claim 10 wherein thereleasable connection between the baluster and the housing comprises:the baluster with a first hole; the housing with first and second setsof arc holes, the first set being arranged along a first arc segment andthe second set being arranged along a second arc segment wherein thefirst arc segment is defined by the first hole in the baluster and thefirst axle and the second arc segment is defined by the first hole inthe baluster and the second axle; and a rod which may pass through thefirst hole in the baluster and an arc hole in the first or second arcsegment when the first hole and the arc hole in the first or second arcsegments are aligned.
 12. The rail holder according to claim 11 whereinthe first and second arc segments share a common arc hole.
 13. The railholder according to claim 12 wherein the first and second arc segmentsshare a common arc hole and wherein the non-shared holes do not overlap.14. The rail holder according to claim 1 further comprising the roofjack.
 15. The rail holder according to claim 14 wherein the roof jackcomprises a connection head which connection head comprises aprojection, which projection releasably connects the connection head,and through the connection head, the roof jack, to a quick connect roofclip.
 16. The rail holder according to claim 14 wherein the roof jackcomprises a leg with an adjustable length.
 17. The rail holder accordingto claim 16 wherein the leg with an adjustable length comprisesoverlapping segments, one of which may fit inside the other.
 18. Therail holder according to claim 16 wherein the attachment for a roof jackcomprises first components which secure the housing to the roof jack andsecond components which secure an adjusted length of the adjustable leg.19. The rail holder according to claim 18 wherein: the roof jackcomprises a plank-receiving portion which portion connects to the legwith an adjustable length; and wherein the first components which securethe housing to the roof jack connect to the roof jack at the locationwhere the plank-receiving portion and the leg with an adjustable lengthconnect.
 20. The rail holder according to claim 19 wherein the firstcomponents comprise a rod which passes through the housing and throughthe plank-receiving portion and the leg with an adjustable length. 21.The rail holder according to claim 18 wherein: the leg with anadjustable length comprises overlapping segments which overlappingsegments comprise first and second openings which may be aligned; andwherein the second components which secure an adjusted length of theadjustable leg comprise a rod which passes through the housing andthrough the first and second openings.
 22. A rail holder for attachmentto a quick connect roof clip comprising: a base connected to aconnection head, wherein the connection head releasably connects theroof jack to a quick connect roof clip; a housing; a baluster; areleasable connection between the baluster and the housing; and whereinthe housing and the baluster are connected at a first axle.
 23. The railholder according to claim 22 wherein the baluster comprises at least onerail bracket.
 24. The rail holder according to claim 22 wherein the railbracket is distal to the first axle.
 25. The rail holder according toclaim 22 further comprising a rail attached to the baluster.
 26. Therail holder according to claim 22 wherein the rail is releasablyattached to the baluster by the rail bracket.
 27. The rail holderaccording to claim 22 wherein the releasable connection between thebaluster and the housing comprises: the baluster with a first hole; thehousing with a second hole; and a rod which may pass through the firsthole and the second hole.
 28. The releasable connection between thebaluster and the housing of claim 27 wherein the rod may be releasablysecured in the first and second holes when the first and second holesare aligned.
 29. The releasable connection between the baluster and thehousing of claim 27 wherein the second hole is one of a set of holes inthe housing, which set of holes are arranged along an arc segment, whicharc segment is defined by the first hole and the axle.
 30. The railholder according to claim 22 further comprising the quick connect roofclip.
 31. The rail holder according to claim 22 wherein the connectionhead comprises a projection, which projection releasably connects theconnection head, and through the connection head, the rail holder, to aquick connect roof clip.